Coordinator of the Equity Legacy Initiative, a group campaigning for equity in the rotation of the Abia state governorship position, Dr. Emeka Wachuku, has said that any political party that ignores the zoning of the governorship position in 2023 to Abia North will fail, no matter the strength and personality of the candidate involved.
Wachuku insisted that zoning has been instituted in the state with the rotating of the governorship position among the three senatorial zones; Abia North, Abia Central and Abia South which produced former Governors, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu and Chief Theodore Orji and the incumbent governor , Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, respectively.
He urged politicians to put the state first and shun selfish interest and divisive tendencies.
He said; “Let’s always put the state first and shun selfish interest and divisive tendencies. Zoning has been a time tested tradition in Abia state. The state has been peaceful because of zoning. I pray that the tradition is sustained. In the last election, Dr. Uche Ogah , who was the candidate of the APC was advised to step down his ambition to allow Abia South complete their tenure. But because of his financial strength, he maneuvered his way and got the APC ticket. The same tradition failed him. Most members from his own political party failed him, not even the PDP. This is because everyone wants to maintain the tradition of rotating the governorship seat. You saw that he lost the election even with his APC ticket. Uche Ogah lost because he contested against the zoning formula.
“It was the same situation with the APGA candidate, Dr. Alex Otti. He was loved by everyone but lost because of where he came from. It was the turn of Abia South and nobody was ready to defy the tradition which has come to stay in the state. It is also going to play out in 2023; any political party that fails to choose a candidate from Abia North will lose, no matter the personality and financial strength of the candidate involved.”
He insisted that power will rotate to the Abia North senatorial zone in 2023 despite the agitation by politicians from the Abia South and Central senatorial zones of the state.
“Let zoning prevail, let the peace that has been in Abia prevail. We must set aside personal interest and consider the soul and peace of the state. After the return of democracy, the first governor was Chief Orji Uzor Kalu from Abia North. At the end of his tenure, he handed over to Chief Theodore Orji. Orji Uzor Kalu could have said, let me bring somebody from Abia South or another person from Abia North. But he displayed maturity in rotating power. After the expiration of his tenure, Chief Theodore Orji fought to ensure that the next governor emerged from Abia South. This was against all odds and this attracted him many enemies. He insisted that power must move to Abia South. Anybody or group who wants to jettison the return of power to Abia North is not thinking well for Abia. I’m aware that Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu with his numerous achievements and good sense of reasoning will abide by the zoning system that brought him to power to ensure that power rotates to Abia North in 2023.
“We want our people to come together for 2023 to ensure Abia continues to enjoy relative peace. We urge people to be guided by good conscience and reason. Let’s not bring divisiveness in Abia. In 2023, we must come together to sustain the legacies of former governors and stakeholders who fought for the unity of Abia.”
